NEWPORT captain Ben Roach makes it a perfect 26 starts at Spytty Park this evening, but he wants to hit 27 at either Church Bank or Rodney Parade.

The Black and Ambers take on Ebbw Vale in the semi-finals of the Premiership and the home skipper will be to the fore from number eight.

Head coach Ty Morris has rotated throughout the season to build impressive depth and some selection headaches but he has had one constant.

Roach has featured in all 25 games so far, all of them in the XV.

“I’ve played every game and pretty much all the minutes in most of them. I’ve been used to playing the full 80 but I tend to like that,” said the captain, who has scored nine tries this season.

“I just want to play and my body hasn’t been an issue, so I am hoping that continues.”

Roach signed for Newport in 2021 after the Covid pandemic put an end to his Wales Sevens career.

The 30-year-old from Cardiff, who made nine appearances for the Dragons in 2017/18, has been a leading figure in the Black and Ambers becoming contenders.

South Wales Argus: DELIGHT: Ben Roach after Newport's Premiership Cup triumphDELIGHT: Ben Roach after Newport's Premiership Cup triumph (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

“We are off the back of two good years in which we won the Premiership Cup, reached the final and have been going for the title,” said Roach, who succeeded Matt O'Brien as captain last summer due to the fly-half's coaching commitments with the Dragons.

“After missing out in the play-offs at Cardiff last season we are hoping to go one better to reach the final, then go on to win it.”

Newport haven’t played since giving Bridgend an 89-26 hammering on April 13 – Roach scored a hat-trick – to notch a 14th straight win.

They watched on while Llandovery pipped them to top spot and set up a Gwent derby against an abrasive Ebbw side who have already won at Spytty Park this season.

“You’re always a little bit apprehensive when you have had a couple of weeks off but we have trained well and hopefully the break will have been good for us,” said Roach.

“We are 14 games unbeaten and just want to keep the ball rolling, we are looking forward to the challenge.

“Ebbw Vale thrive on the forward battle but I think that’s the case with all four teams in the play-offs, that’s why we all finished where we did in the league.

“It is going to be tough and it is going to be physical, it’s a Gwent derby so there will always be a bit of niggle.”

The winners of the Gwent derby will either travel to Llandovery or host Cardiff in the final next Saturday.

If it's the Black and Ambers against the Blue and Blacks then the venue will be Rodney Parade rather than Spytty Park.